Hey Folks,

I took the Bonny into the shop today to get the tranny looked at (falling out of OD under certain conditions). It looks like we are going to start with the t-stat (it runs at about 120 and you can grab and old the upper radiator hose, and it just feels warm after an hour or more operation). He thinks this is causing things to be misread by the computer and causing the tranny to act up. This echoes what some have said here in other topics.

He also mentioned the upper intake problem leaking in the 3800 engines. In my reading here, I though this was a problem with the 3800 Series II only. He believes mine is failing also. The car has 175,000 miles on it, and to the best of my knowledge, the UIM has never been worked on. So my question is: Is this reasonable? Does the Series I have trouble, but just not as much? I should say that there are all leaks under the car, that I assumed was either a pan gasket (engine or tranny) or the main seal. He thinks it my be the UIM gasket. I have a couple photos of my engine at photobucket, link in the sig line below, if that helps.

Thanks for your help.
John

there have been maybe 1or 2 Series One UIM'* that have Failed out of every one on here

its not common for the S1 L27 to do it

If I may ask, when UIM or LIM in a SII is mentioed here, what specifically fails. I get the impression from my mechanic that with my Bonny, it is the gasket that has failed. Is this the big problem with the UIM, or is it something more?

Thanks,

the gaskets are a problem with the series two along with the EGR Stove Pipe the deforms the upper intake

If I look at the picture of my engine, is the stovepipe the pipe that is covered with the white mesh-looking material? Are there performance problems/symtoms associated with these problems, other than oil leaks, if that?

Thanks,
John

yes there is also a large looking mushroom cap and the EGR valve is under there It takes exhaust gas and then circulates it back into the intake.

Gaskets can leak. Whether series 1 or 2. LIM'* should always be done when doing uppers.

A good low cost replacement could be found at a junkyard. Those upper manifolds are on hundreds of GM cars. I got a great price on the one for Troy in Australia.